Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

Minutes

September 24, 2008

 

I.                  The Council convened in the Essex Town Hall at 12:15 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Phil Miller. 

 

II.    Attendance

            Please see attached list.

 

III.   Minutes

            Motion was made to approve minutes of 8/27/08 by Rich Cabral, Phil Miller Seconded the Motion.  All were in favor.

 

IV.  Speakers: 

Rep James Spallone: 

·         Rep Spallone noted that the conveyance tax has been extended for one year and that the pension revocation bill was passed. The heating assistance appropriations bill passed.

·         Spallone discussed the Ethics Work Force (FOI) Bill and said that he and Rep Slosberg would be co-chairing a task force concerning the bill.  There will be a field hearing on October 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Mulvey Center in Westbrook. Staff will be available for anyone interested in expressing opinions and objections concerning the bill starting at 6:30 p.m. 

·         Mike Pace suggested that a position paper from the CRVCEO be presented regarding the Ethics issues.

      Noel Bishop asked if there was any new or future funding anticipated for homelessness.  Jamie said there was nothing pending right now.

      Dick Smith asked about Gov. Rell’s reporting of ’08-’09 $300 million deficit and if anyone is hitting the panic button right now.  At this point, feedback is minimal.

 

  Ten-Year Plan: Middlesex County Council on Housing & Homelessness

            Speakers:  Kevin Wilhelm, Executive Director, Middlesex United Way, David Shumway, Shelter Director, American Red Cross, Michael Pace, First Selectman, Old Saybrook, Howard Reid, Executive Director, River Valley Services,  and Lydia Brewster, 10-Year Plan to end Homelessness.

            On January 30, 2008 in Middlesex County at least 275 people were homeless, and the County is identified as the richest county in the U.S.

            The Council is an organization of community leaders that plans for the support, development and delivery of housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless.  It coordinates plans that identify current needs and resources to reduce homelessness and fill gaps in continuum of housing and services.

            The Soup Kitchen provides 600,000 meals annually. Only 1% of Old Saybrook is considered affordable.  Median rents in the area are $1,046, which means that to afford this rental a person must earn $21.00 an hour.  Minimum wage earners cannot afford this rent.

            Mike Pace discussed attainable housing, and how Old Saybrook has a plan in place. Mike noted that a healthy community is an economically eclectric community.  He explained that the key to helping people is to enable them to help themselves.  He has asked Middlesex Community College to set up a site in Old Saybrook as education is a key component to self sufficiency. Homeless people are here and are part of every community.

            Mike said there is a mentoring program available for children in shelters at St. Pau’ls church in Old Saybrook.

            Seb Giuliano discussed the old missile base in Middletown.  The army turned the site over to the town, and the town is now providing affordable housing which creates pride in owner- occupied housing and is successful.

            Project Hope works well in Old Saybrook.  The Town is looking at lots in town and is asking developers to give a unit or two to the town when building sub-divisions.  DOT had an old garage in Old Saybrook and gave it to the town.  The usage is earmarked for housing and recreation. 

            Mike noted that it is important to plan our communities for the next generation.

            It costs $40,000 a year to support a homeless person, and $20,000 a year to get a homeless person up and running on his/her own.

            Jean Davies, Planner, is working on public transit alternatives for the homeless.

Roy Piper, Region 2 Coordinator:  Roy introduced Diana Yessenye of Region #2 who talked about a table top Emergency Preparedness Exercise scheduled for November 20 at the Saybrook Point Inn from 4-8 p.m. The exercise will be on an Extreme Ice Event.  Diana said the invitation will be sent within a week and that dinner will be served. A kit of public information will be distributed at that time.

            Roy said the Emergency Performance Grants are due by September 30th.  Towns must submit at least a budget by that time.

            Web-EMOC: high speed computer and high speed internet hookup will be available to each town.

            REPT: Meeting November 3rd, 9:30 a.m. in Guilford.

 

V. General Discussion

            Ethics Task Force:  Phil suggested that selectmen forward their comments to him via email prior to the October 7th meeting.  Dick smith suggested a meeting of all selectmen on Tuesday, September 30th in the Deep River Library at 10:30 a.m. to further discuss the Ethics (FOI) issues.

            Senator Daily said that $35million had been appropriated for the fuel crisis. She further noted that no money has been allocated for homes that heat with electricity.

            Sen. Daily said DSS is being audited.  Husky and Charter Oaks plans are not in good shape.  Thousands have applied and only 800 have been signed up. UConn was forced to become a participant, even though the State had recently bailed out this facility.

 

VI. Business:

                

Jeff Nelson, Gov. Rell’s office:

            1. State has contracts in place for debris removal and debris monitoring.

            2. Help will be available for individuals with sub-prime mortgages.

            3. Budget deficit over $300 million. The deficit does not reflect the recent issues on Wall Street.  Revenues are down and continue on a downward spiral.

 

VII: Old Business:

                 

                  Chairman Miller said that several emergency management teams are conducting mock drills on the Connecticut River.     

                  A Rockfall  Symposium is scheduled for Friday, October 17th at Essex Steam Train site.

                  Tuesday, October 21st, 9:00 a.m., the Middlesex Revitalization Commission has a meeting scheduled at the Essex Town Hall.

                  The 4th Wednesday in October, CCM is holding a convention. Therefore, the CRVCEO will be held on Wednesday, October 29th in Portland at the PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 Free Stone Avenue. A reminder will be forwarded prior to the next meeting announcing the new date and location. 

                  Chairman Miller made the motion that the November and December meetings be skipped. Rich Cabral seconded.  All were in Favor.

 

VII. Old Business:

                  Tom Marsh asked for feedback on his proposal concerning revenues for towns presented last month. 

 

Adjournment:

                  Motion to adjourn was made by Dick Smith, seconded by Rich Cabral. All were in favor.

                  The meeting was adjourned at 1:58. Table top exercise followed CRVCEO meeting scheduled for 2:00.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk